Golf Business Technology Podcast

Old Tom Capital is an investment holding company shaping the future of golf and providing outsized returns to our investors. Our team invests across all stages and asset classes. We provide our portfolio companies unparalleled insights, extensive relationships, capital, and robust strategic resources. How we investDomain FocusedAt Old Tom Capital, we focus on what we know best – golf. We invest in markets around the globe where golf is changing and growing, leveraging our deep industry expertise to drive impactful innovation and outsized returns.Stage AgnosticWe adopt a flexible investment approach, avoiding rigid asset class constraints. Our investment sizes range depending on the needs of the businesses we support, allowing us to be opportunistic in finding objectively great businesses.Thesis-DrivenOur investment decisions are guided by a well-defined thesis about the future of golf. We develop strong points-of-view that shape our strategy, ensuring that every investment aligns with our vision of driving the golf industry forward.

Dan Naudo is the club manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates, a leading golf and lifestyle destination in Dubai. With a strong background in managing world-class golf and leisure venues in both the UK and the Middle East, Dan brings a wealth of operational experience and a passion for creating exceptional member and guest experiences. His previous roles include senior leadership positions at London Golf Club, Fairmont St Andrews and Sindalah Golf Club in NEOM, Saudi Arabia. Now at the helm of Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dan is focused on enhancing its vibrant community spirit, expanding lifestyle offerings and further building on the reputation of the prestigious venue that hosts the DP World Tour Championship and two award-winning golf courses.

SpeakSport, a unique new venture in innovative AI-Voice Technology solutions for golf facilities. SpeakSport is a cutting-edge AI-Voice Technology, designed to transform golf course operations, enhance customer engagement, and streamline efficiencies around the clock.SpeakSport’s proprietary AI-Voice Technology allows daily-fee, resort and private facilities alike to:Drive Efficiencies: Automate routine phone calls 24 hours a day with a personalized touch – including tee-time bookings and common inquiries, allowing staff to focus on providing exceptional guest/member experiences and prioritize the customer in front of them.Capture Customer Data: Leverage detailed insights into customer behavior to drive smarter decision-making and expand the loyalty marketing funnel with more data.Cut Costs: Reduce overhead with 24/7 support capabilities, eliminating the need for additional staffing and resources.Build Customer Loyalty: Offer a seamless, consistent, and personalized experience, fostering long-term relationships with golfers – and even upselling additional events/offerings at the facility.

ezLocator stands out as a pioneering entity within the golf industry, dedicated to revolutionizing the management of daily hole locations on golf courses. Founded in 2008 by Jon Schultz, a mechanical engineer with a profound passion for golf, ezLocator leverages patented software to automate the pin-placement process, enhancing the golfing experience for players while simultaneously improving the health of the greens. This comprehensive analysis explores ezLocator's offerings, the benefits it presents to golf courses, and considerations for operators thinking about integrating this technology into their operations.

Our success is directly attributed to KRISP™ Lens Technology. A team of world-class optometrists, golf professionals, and passionate enthusiasts developed the finest golf-specific optics available. Every decision we make is driven by one goal: Elevating Your Game.Your eyes are just the camera - they capture light and convert it into electrical signals. But your brain is the director, editor, and interpreter that creates the visual experience you actually "see."The same blade of grass can appear lighter or darker depending on what surrounds it. Your brain decides what color you"see" based on context and light reflecting to you. Essentially, vision is more like your brain constructing reality based on the data your eyes provide, rather than simply displaying a direct feed from your eyes!Your brain processes visual information to execute every shot, so getting the correct visual input is the difference between success and failure on the course.

Golf VX is a sports entertainment company. No matter if you are a serious golfer or just to have fun, we are here to bring the joy and excitement of playing golf. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to uplevel their golf skills using the latest technology while sharing passion and connecting with friends.We operate and accommodate all your needs. Our flagship stores offer the most advanced and intuitive technology by revolutionizing the indoor golf industry. We install Golf VX simulators in homes or workplaces for personal entertainment and company perks. We provide commercial sales and installation services of our golf simulators to those who want to open their own indoor golf venues. Lastly, we offer franchise opportunities to help entrepreneurs to create businesses and bring exciting venues to their cities.

One of the true icons of the game and one of the select band of golfers to have won more than 165 worldwide victories. He shares with Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods the distinction of being one of only five golfers to have won the career Grand Slam, made up of all four Major Championships. Player also won nine Majors on the Senior Tour and the Senior Grand Slam.Turned professional in 1953 and has subsequently travelled more than 30 million kilometers while competing in tournaments all over the world. Won for the first time in 1955 and has since won almost everywhere golf is played worldwide.Turned 50 in 1985 and immediately won the first Senior Tour event he entered. Went on to win 40 professional events around the world. His haul of nine Senior Major titles equals the nine Majors he won earlier in his career.Player retains full ownership of his name, image, and likeness, with all of his business and philanthropic ventures operating under Gary Player Enterprises. This includes Gary Player Design, the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation, and sponsorships or endorsements with esteemed partners such as Rolex, Berenberg, and PXG. As one of the world’s most accomplished golf course architects, Player has completed hundreds of design projects across the globe. The Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation focuses on providing education for disadvantaged children in South Africa through the Blair Atholl School, while also supporting a range of charitable causes in the United States. Throughout his illustrious career, Player has received numerous awards recognizing his outstanding contributions to the game of golf.In 2000 he was awarded the European Senior Tour’s Lladro Lifetime Achievement Award. Twelve months later he was named as the World Golf Hall of Fame’s Global Ambassador. Captained the Rest of the World Team at the UBS Cup matches in 2001, 2002 and 2004, and the International Team in the 2003 and 2007 Presidents Cup. He also captained the South African team in golf’s return to the Olympic Games.

Creators of the world’s most intelligent digital caddie, the ShotSense Golf Team blends deep analytics, cutting-edge AI, and real-world golf expertise to help every player make smarter decisions and score lower.

Our mission is simple - to help everyone on Earth move better, live better and be better.Whether you’re an elite athlete or an individual who is simply looking for solutions to combat the impact of daily life, our suite of innovative products are here to help you unlock the best version of yourself. So you can always be at the top of your game, no matter what that game might be.Transform with technologyFounded in 2011, our innovative products have been used by the world’s best athletes and consumers in over 60 countries throughout the globe.We’ve built a brand that has helped define an entire category and is well positioned to carry the space forward for many years to come. In 2021, we were recognized by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.

Software developmentWhether it’s the development of a tee time and membershipmarketplace, help with software integrations, or a custom build — we areexperts in technology development.Revenue ManagementWe will help you measure course occupancy and RevPAR to setup a Dynamic Pricing program to increase course revenue that’s driven bycustomer behaviour.Course MarketingWe’re able to create custom communications catered directlyto your target audiences, and measure the success of that message by analysingthe data given. 

Pioneers in golf cart batteriesListen to our interview with CTO at Trojan Batteries John Anderson Trojan Battery Company draws on 100 years of innovation to provide a range of batteries to fit your golf cart and low speed electric vehicle applications. As the original creator of the golf cart battery, Trojan is the most trusted battery brand providing innovative, high performing, dependable, and safe products across multiple technologies.Our products are designed and assembled in the USA with highly responsive customer service and technical support for your peace of mind.​

ReelGOLF™ is the first on-course autonomous videography system to create PGA® Pro Tour quality video for the everyday golfer. With ReelGOLF™, smart cameras are placed discretely near the tee boxes and greens on signature Par 3 holes to capture tee-to-green shots. Simply scan our QR Golf™ code, to record your shot, and the video will be sent to you within minutes. It’s that simple.Just Scan, Shoot, and Share!

Joe Russell is an accomplished hospitality executive with over three decades of experience in the luxury hotel and resort industry. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, a position he has held since April 2003. In this role, Joe has overseen all aspects of the business, from the initial development and building program of the facility to the expansion of operations, including membership and real estate services. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing the resort as a premier destination in Ireland.Before joining Trump International, Joe served as the General Manager of The Berkeley Court Hotel in Dublin from 1999 to 2003, where he was responsible for the overall operation of this prestigious property, including the management of an extensive refurbishment program that led the property into The Leading Hotels of the World portfolio. Before that, he had various roles as  Deputy General Manager at Jurys Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin and several senior roles with the Thistle Hotel Group in London.<Throughout his career, Joe has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in hospitality management, leading teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences while driving business growth. His extensive experience and passion in both the hotel and golf industry have made him a respected leader in the field.

​Golf.ai is an innovative company leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance the golfing experience for players of all levels. Their suite of AI-powered tools aims to provide real-time insights, personalized coaching, and performance tracking to help golfers improve their game.​This virtual caddie offers real-time, shot-by-shot advice tailored to your swing. It provides club recommendations and dynamic shot analysis by considering factors such as playing history, course conditions, temperature, wind, altitude, humidity, slope, and hazards. It's designed to function like having a professional caddie by your side, offering guidance on every shot. ​golf.aiGolf Business TechnologyAI Scorecard™ allows users to track every player and tournament, going beyond traditional leaderboards. It offers live player performance tracking, AI-generated insights, and trend spotting, initially launching with PGA Tour and LIV Golf events. ​swee.ai+2golf.ai+2Golf Business Technology+2Golf Business Technology+1golf.ai+1This feature provides personalized equipment insights, recommending optimal club configurations based on swing data and gear specifications. It also allows comparisons with professional golfers’ gear, helping users make informed decisions about their equipment. ​Golf Business TechnologyAI Golf Rules™ offers instant answers to golf rule questions during your round, eliminating guesswork and ensuring you have the correct rule information in seconds. ​Golf Business Technology+1golf.ai+1Golf.ai supports over 29 languages and offers 8 distinct accents and personalities, making it accessible and user-friendly for a global audience. ​golf.aiGolf.ai's tools are available for use at over 40,000 global golf clubs, allowing golfers worldwide to benefit from AI-driven insights and assistance. ​golf.aiGolf.ai is a privately held company based in La Jolla, California. They specialize in technology, sports AI, artificial intelligence, user experience, and software development. ​LinkedInFor more information or to try out their services, you can visit their website at golf.ai.Key Offerings1. AI Caddie™2. AI Scorecard™3. What's in My Bag™4. AI Golf Rules™Language and AccessibilityAvailabilityCompany Background

Players 1st is a SaaS (software as a service) customer experience platform designed to help golf clubs retain and recruit players. Featuring a digital dashboard, the service uses innovative surveys to give club managers the ability to quickly analyze customer experience feedback. This information gives them the power to make the right moves to improve player satisfaction and loyalty.

Paul Woodham, The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Lead, Europe, has over 30 years’ experience in golf course management. Paul’s career began in greenkeeping and progressed with 14 years’ as a professionally qualified and experienced agronomist. He has worked across all types of course ranging from public and private operations and across  Members courses to Tour and Resort venues with experience in tournament monitoring.Paul has a degree in Turfgrass Science and is a member of the BASIS Professional Register. Paul is also a regular contributor to industry publications and presents education seminars and workshops on the national and international stage.

Agilysys GolfA seamless solution that simplifies operations, enriches the player experience and helps maximize the value of your golf business.To learn more https://www.agilysys.com/en/ecosystem/hospitality-and-leisure/golf/

The First Golf Tee Scientifically Proven to Increase Distance and AccuracyFlightpath is the world's most advanced tournament-legal tee, delivering superior distance, accuracy, and durability compared to standard golf tees.About Flightpath GolfCofounded by Daniel Whalen and Caroline Castille, Flightpath Golf is an innovative golf technology company focused on delivering golf products that provide a unique and premium experience.  Their flagship product, Flightpath Golf Tees, deliver maximum performance to the golfer through patented advanced tee technology, resulting in longer and straighter drives.

Mustard Golf’s AI analyzes swing videos uploaded right from your phone. Understand your personal areas of improvement and get better, in just minutes a day, without leaving your home.Rocky Collis is the CEO of Mustard.Peter Morrice is a senior editor of Golf Digest, working mostly on instruction content. His golf game is proof that the more you hang out with long hitters, the shorter your drives get.

Five Iron Golf, founded in 2017, has revolutionized urban golf culture by creating premium indoor golf entertainment venues that blend state-of-the-art simulator technology with upscale amenities. The company has experienced rapid expansion, growing from a single location in New York City’s Flatiron District to 32 venues across 13 U.S. states and 5 countries, making it one of the fastest-growing concepts in the golf entertainment sector.